Veteran Actor 'Sowcar' Janaki Passes Away in Chennai at 94

Veteran South Indian actor ‘Sowcar’ Janaki passed away on August 21, 2026, in Chennai.

Janaki leaves behind a cinematic legacy that spanned over seven decades. Throughout her prolific career, she appeared in more than 400 films across South Indian cinema. She was widely celebrated for her unmatched versatility and profound range on screen, establishing her position as an icon of the industry.

During her extensive career, Janaki worked with three Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu—M.G. Ramachandran, M. Karunanidhi, and Jayalalithaa. In Telugu cinema, she also worked with N.T. Rama Rao.

Janaki was notably one of the favourite actors of acclaimed director K. Balachander, collaborating with the filmmaker on multiple projects during her decades in the film industry.